Switching grape varieties can
help save world’s wine-growing regions
H
otter temperatures threaten global wine production, with multiple studies now forecasting
that more than half of regions suitable to planting wine grapes could be lost
other collaborating institutions. “Substituting grenache or cabernet sauvignon for pinot noir, planting trebbiano where riesling is grown— these aren’t painless shifts to make,
Wine grapes are extremely sensitive to climate, especially temperature. Combining long-term records with global data on where different wine grapes are planted, the research team showed that if global
but they can ease winegrowers’
temperatures rise by an average of
transition to a new and warmer
two degrees Celsius — in line with
But not all is lost. Swapping out grapes
world,” says the study’s senior author
current trends — at least 51 per cent
for more drought and heat-tolerant
Elizabeth Wolkovich, a professor of
of current wine-growing regions
varieties can offer a way forward for
forest and conservation sciences at
could be wiped out.
winemakers, finds new research from
UBC who studies resilience strategies
the University of British Columbia and
for agricultural and forest ecosystems.
to climate change.
“These estimates, however, ignore important changes that growers can make,” says Wolkovich. “We found that by switching to different varieties, vintners can lessen the damage, to just 24 per cent of areas lost. For example, in Burgundy, France, vintners can consider planting more heat-tolerant varieties such as syrah and grenache to
ith over 15 years of experience in the Canadian Wine Grape industry as Euro Nursery, and continued experience in the California Wine Grape industry as Knights Grapevine Nursery, I know first-hand the importance of high-quality, virus tested vines for a healthy, growing vineyard. Therefore, I use the strictest test standards and processes available, testing each plant source according to our “Every Vine Tested” protocol. I then use the carefully selected, quality materials to produce healthy vigorous plants for my grapevine growing friends. Whether in Canada or in the U.S., I understand that protecting vines against viruses means nothing less than protecting a vineyard owner’s future. Sincerely,
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replace the dominant pinot noir. And growers in regions such as Bordeaux may swap out cabernet sauvignon and merlot for mourvedre.” There’s a caveat though. Diversification will have less impact if temperatures rise more than two degrees. “At four degrees, around 77 per cent of all areas may be lost, and planting new varieties will limit this to 58 per cent losses,” says lead author Ignacio Morales-Castilla, a former postdoctoral researcher in the Wolkovich lab, now with University of Alcalá in Spain. “Wine growing regions can adapt to a
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